Sessions continues to be the highest performing member of the Trump administration, even in the face of significant buffeting from above.

Not only has he initiated key reforms of the DOJ from the ravages and politicization of the Obama years, he also had the courage to do the right thing and recuse himself from the Russia probe, stood up to his boss when he tried to bully him into leaving, and now is doing what he can to try to protect its independence.

Quote:

WASHINGTON – Attorney General Jeff Sessions recently told the White House he might have to leave his job if President Donald Trump fired his deputy, Rod Rosenstein, who oversees the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, according to people familiar with the exchange.

Sessions made his position known in a phone call to White House counsel Donald McGahn last weekend, as Trump’s fury at Rosenstein peaked after the deputy attorney general approved the FBI’s raid April 9 on the president’s personal attorney Michael Cohen.

Sessions’s message to the White House, which has not previously been reported, underscores the political firestorm that Trump would invite should he attempt to remove the deputy attorney general. While Trump also has railed against Sessions at times, the protest resignation of an attorney general – which would be likely to incite other departures within the administration – would create a moment of profound crisis for the White House.

In the phone call with McGahn, Sessions wanted details of a meeting Trump and Rosenstein held at the White House on April 12, according to a person with knowledge of the call. Sessions expressed relief to learn that their meeting was largely cordial. Sessions said he would have had to consider leaving as the attorney general had Trump ousted Rosenstein, this person said.

Another person familiar with the exchange said Sessions did not intend to threaten the White House but rather wanted to convey the untenable position that Rosenstein’s firing would put him in.

A Justice Department spokesperson declined to comment.

Rosenstein’s status remains uncertain, but the pressure he is facing seemed to subside after last week.

Last summer, when it appeared Trump was going to fire Sessions or pressure him to resign, Republican lawmakers and conservative advocacy groups rallied to Sessions’s side and warned the president not to move against him.

Trump had told senior officials last week that he was considering firing Rosenstein, who was confirmed by the Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support last year. Since then, alumni of the Justice Department have rallied to Rosenstein’s defense.

As of Friday afternoon, more than 800 former Justice Department employees had signed an open letter calling on Congress to “swiftly and forcefully respond to protect the founding principles of our Republic and the rule of law” if Trump were to fire the deputy attorney general, special counsel Robert Mueller or other senior Justice Department officials. The group MoveOn.org has sought to organize nationwide protests if such an event were to occur.

Rosenstein, on behalf of the Justice Department, is set to argue a sentencing case, Chavez-Meza v. United States, before the Supreme Court on Monday. Appearing before the high court has long been a professional goal, people close to Rosenstein say.

A senior administration official said Sessions does not like the way Rosenstein has been treated by the president and had expressed such concerns for months. He has regularly sought guidance from the White House about Rosenstein’s standing with the president and asked about his interactions with Trump, this official said.

I do too. As abrasive as his style could be, he still was probably the brains of that outfit here on CP. I think he was motivated by sincere belief in the issues like immigration and draining the swamp, and he didn't give Trump a pass when he has settled into being a JAG president.

Or, maybe he saw the writing on the wall about the Mueller thing, or about 2020. Who knows. But he was about the only Trumpster who I respected as being principled around here and his divorce from the Trumpian movement didn't hurt it at all.

No one cares who you respect, or think 'stands on principle'

There are roughly two and a half people here who give a damn what you think about anything

I was actually very surprised by PB turning on Trump. He went full 'whataboutism' in every thread and didn't seem to have any principles that I could see. I thought some of these other guys would turn on Trump well before he did.

I am probably forgetting someone, but he seemed to be the only really cerebral members of the trump movement. He could actually discuss issues and had informed opinions, as much as a person might disagree with them. Those who are left are basically just the "lol cuck deep state omg" types

PB seeing that everyone was right about Trump was a rehabilitative moment. He can be allowed to become one with the CP Force

I am probably forgetting someone, but he seemed to be the only really cerebral members of the trump movement. He could actually discuss issues and had informed opinions, as much as a person might disagree with them. Those who are left are basically just the "lol cuck deep state omg" types

PB seeing that everyone was right about Trump was a rehabilitative moment. He can be allowed to become one with the CP Force

I should add: PB leaving the Trump movement doesn’t make me happy or restore faith because he left the Trump movement. It’s because someone on CP evidently admitted to being wrong and changed their mind. The fact that it invokes Trump and politics is secondary

__________________In this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for; as for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican.
- H. L. Mencken

No pauses or ****s given, two million city dwellers mixed with several hundred thousand illegal voters means nothing to me... the founding fathers in their wisdom, knew well what the 'popular vote' was worth

Does the result of the election, or the Electoral College itself give you any reason for pause?

Okay. It bothers Trump, but it's nice to see you don't care about it.

Sure. The fact that my fellow Republicans were foolish enough to nominate this clown has given me significant pause.

__________________I think the young people enjoy it when I "get down," verbally, don't you?

I should add: PB leaving the Trump movement doesn’t make me happy or restore faith because he left the Trump movement. It’s because someone on CP evidently admitted to being wrong and changed their mind. The fact that it invokes Trump and politics is secondary